Protection

IDA is running a Protection program in the Northern Aleppo border camps to address security, violence and other protection issues affecting women, girls, men and boys in this area.

300,000 displaced persons are living in camps and various forms of informal settlements in the small region between Azaz city and the Turkish-Syrian border. Overcrowded shelters, lack of lightening, dense distribution points, an unsanitary living environment and nearby fighting are all factors increasing the risk of violence in the community. Insufficient WASH infrastructure in the camps and overcrowding translates into a lack of privacy for women, and an absence of schools and the need to earn a livelihood has led to child labor. Unemployment among the men is linked to an increase in stress and domestic problems.

As a primary provider of medical services in this area, IDA is building on its familiarity with the humanitarian needs of the community to implement a Protection program to better address the interlinked safety concerns and coping strategies at the community level. After conducting series of focus group discussions with adults (18 – 60 years old) on protection, gender-based violence (GBV) and child protection issues,

Men attend a focus group discussion on safety concerns in the border camps.

IDA is supporting mechanisms in the community to respond to issues like access to services, family separation, restriction of movement and survivors of violence. IDA already runs women safe spaces and a psycho-social support team that offer well-being exercises for women and follows up on cases of incontinence among children.

IDA believes that achieving freedom, dignity and stopping violations against children and women are legitimate rights, and is the duty of all to participate in promoting these values and principles in the community.